ESG in Global Public Governance: a Scientometric Analysis Focusing on Brazil

Objective: This study aims to analyze the international scientific production on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the public sector between 2011 and 2024, with a focus on identifying trends, thematic gaps, and opportunities for strengthening institutional sustainability in Brazil. Theoretical Framework: The investigation is grounded in concepts related to sustainability, social responsibility, and public governance, considering ESG as a strategic framework for improving public management through the integration of environmental, social, and governance dimensions. Method: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining bibliometric and scientometric techniques applied to the Web of Science database. The analysis encompassed 122 documents and used the VOSviewer software to map citation networks, co-authorship, and keyword co-occurrence. A descriptive case study was also conducted in a federal public institution. Results and Discussion: The findings revealed a significant increase in publications from 2019 onward, with a thematic concentration on the environmental dimension and predominance of studies originating from Global North countries. Brazil’s participation is limited and characterized by fragmented collaboration networks, highlighting the need for greater articulation among researchers and public institutions. Research Implications: This research provides valuable input for the development of sustainable public policies in Brazil, emphasizing the importance of national scientific production, the strengthening of regulatory frameworks, and the expansion of scientific cooperation networks. Originality/Value: This is the first scientometric study specifically focused on ESG in the Brazilian public sector, contributing to the consolidation of an interdisciplinary research agenda and the development of public governance practices aligned with global sustainability challenges.